Josef Manuel
Josef Manuel  |
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| Born | November 12, 1974 |
| Barth Name | Josef Manuel |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Martial Arts Educator |
| Organization | Ze Cobra Academy |
| Home town | |
| Website | https://zecobrabjj.com/ |
| Height | |
| Education | Trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mario Marcio Lemos, David Adiv, and Robson Moura. |
Josef Manuel (born November 12, 1974) is an American Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) instructor, competitor, and martial arts educator. He is the head instructor of Team Chokelab in Harrison, New Jersey, and is recognized as a black belt under six-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Robson "Robinho" Moura. Manuel has competed in national and international Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments, earning medals at events organized by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). He is also known for teaching a technical approach to Brazilian jiu-jitsu referred to as "Small Man Jiu-Jitsu," which emphasizes leverage, timing, and efficiency rather than physical strength.
Early life and education
[edit | edit source]Josef Manuel was born on November 12, 1974, in Newark, New Jersey, United States. He attended high school in Harrison, New Jersey, where he graduated before pursuing martial arts training.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu career
[edit | edit source]Manuel has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for more than two decades and received his black belt in 2010 from Robson "Robinho" Moura, a multiple-time world champion and founder of the Nova União-affiliated Robson Moura Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association.
Throughout his competitive career, Manuel has participated in numerous IBJJF tournaments, including the World Championship, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and European Championship, where he has earned medals in various divisions.
His teaching philosophy centers on technical precision, efficiency, and leverage. This approach has become known within his academy as "Small Man Jiu-Jitsu," emphasizing that effective technique can overcome differences in size and strength.
Coaching
[edit | edit source]Manuel is the founder and head instructor of Team Chokelab, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy based in Harrison, New Jersey. Through the academy, he teaches students ranging from beginners to competitive athletes.
His instruction emphasizes discipline, personal development, and practical self-defense alongside sport jiu-jitsu. According to Manuel, his objective is not only to develop successful competitors but also to help students improve themselves through martial arts.
Tactical training
[edit | edit source]In addition to civilian martial arts instruction, Manuel has served as a tactical trainer for law enforcement personnel. He is a Level 1 and Level 2 U.S. Army Certified Instructor and has provided defensive tactics and Brazilian jiu-jitsu instruction for federal and state law enforcement agencies.
Philosophy
[edit | edit source]Manuel has stated that Brazilian jiu-jitsu should serve as a tool for lifelong learning and personal growth. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, confidence, humility, and continuous improvement.
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Josef Manuel is an American and resides in New Jersey.